Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1887-04-09
Alexander I. Stewart and His Dealings
with His Fellow Men.

Alexander T. Stewart was really
thought to be strictly honest, but
he was tile incarnation of business
simply: no was selfish, hard and
cold in the extreme; he had no
friends, Judge Hilton excepted, and
nc companions. 1t was constantly
said that he was devoid of the milk
OF human kindness; that his body
did MOI, contain n drop of warm
blood. He had no children-he
had lost two in infNlcy--and his
vile stood in such awe Of him that
affection between them was impos-
sihle. Despite his millions. he nev
er gave her any amount of money,
convinced that women did not and
could not understand its use. The
only really human social thing he
was ever guilty o. WAS to provide
I'M elaborate dinner in the mauso-
lerm on the Sundays of the winter.
Jud..e Hilton was always present,
and Il number of gentlemen to'
whom Mr. Stewart appeared to
have some respect. The guests
varied very little from month to
month.
The great merchant employed
his enormous capital mercilessly to
bleak down and ruin smaller mer-
chants. Scores of them, it is said,
have teen rendered bankrupt by
Lis financial dcspotism, and the
desperate condition and death OF
several have been land directly at
his 6oor. He bated those who at
tempted to compete with him; he
seemed to think he had right to
monopolize the great dry gooos
trade of New York, and he tired by
every means in his power to de
Stroy opposition. This is frequent
~ done, and is considered leglti
mate-alI in the way of business.
Blu: Mr.. Stewart had the credit OF
tloirg more of it, of going TO great,
cr lengths than others; and. being
very rich and generally disllked, he
was regarded as HE sole offender.
Stories were constantly circulated
of how his SternmeSS and cruelty
had driven men to their graves
Many of the stories were pileous to
IL dcercc-so distressing that ii
was, hardly intclligib.e that they
shcu nd OF have excited his COM
passion. They may have been OK
agceratel; OF even false i'll whole
or in part. but they were believed,
aud the rich merchant gathered
more and more odium the longer he
lived. have heard many good,
upright citizen declare that Mr..
Stewards death, while lie lived,
would be a public benefit; that his
course of commercial action was
that of an enemy to the communi
rs. Nevertheless, he commanded
a very large custom, both in the
wi. ,eSale and retail trade, not be.
canse People cared for him, out be
cause they could buy on favorable
terms and felt sure Of being fairly
dealt with.
y. T. Stewart, the man, hardly
al, one knew; he was mainly a
li;,i.c, representing hardness, sor-
dizziness, material success AT the
price of humanity. Had be been
Known lie would have created
auslit bnt a favorable impression,
fc: hc WAS bloodless, cold severe
lUoh ng Scotch l!iSllman, whom
neither children nor dogs would he
likely to approach. IN rersun he
answered TO his reputation, which
was Sinsulanly unfortunate. The
ynlurs attributed 10 hm-probity,
justice, morality did not count in
his iiehalf, nor were they accepted
as pailations of his hardness. II
be h:.u possessed Il few amiable
Weaknesses, or been incliEed to a
few lovable sins, lie woulG have
stood better in the eyes Of The n Ill
ti,ude. "Worben" i'll Chicago
News.